NEWS
West Virginia University School of Medicine
New WVU Program Ensures Future Physician Assistant Training and Strengthens Rural Health Partnerships
West Virginia University ’ s ( WVU ) School of Medicine will expand training opportunities for physician assistant studies students while increasing access to healthcare in rural communities across the state through a more than $ 1.3 million dollar grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration ( HRSA ).
The Division of Physician Assistant studies will use the grant funds , which will be distributed over a five-year period , to launch ImPAct WV , a project created to expand rural health curriculum , present more training opportunities , and increase scholarship offerings for students in rural practice .
The project includes specialized rural health education for students , resources to support evidence-based practice and wellness initiatives for community partners , and tobacco cessation training for rural preceptors through the WVU School of Dentistry ’ s Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program .
“ Our long-term project goal is to increase the number of physician assistants in rural primary care practice settings and ultimately to improve health outcomes for patients in rural areas of our state ,” said Jennifer Momen , MD , MPH , FAAP .
Additionally , ImPAct WV will provide telehealth equipment to rural clinical training sites that lack equipment and connections , as well as implement a rural preceptor development program to support clinical partners . According to Momen , this portion of the grant aligns with HRSA ’ s clinical priorities of improving mental health access and care and strengthening healthcare access through telehealth .
While creating greater access to care for rural patients , those working on the project also hope to inspire future physician assis-
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